10 ACCIPITRES. VULTURIDjE. 



the longest primaries were wholly, others partially, 

 white ; but the wings were not uniform in the distri- 

 bution of the colours. This individual was recog- 

 nisable almost as far as visible ; for the white was 

 very pure. Some, however, are found much more 

 completely white than this ; my negro lad, Sam, had 

 seen one which had the wings wholly white ex- 

 cept some of the least coverts ; and the breast also 

 white. 



The situations usually selected in Jamaica by this 

 Vulture for the laying and hatching of its eggs, 

 are hollows and ledges of rocks in secluded places, 

 or inaccessible crags and cliffs. A little dry trash 

 or decaying leaves, are all the apology for a 

 nest. A young one taken in such a situation, and 

 brought to me in May, was nearly full-fledged, 

 but bore little resemblance to the adult. The whole 

 body, with the exception of the winglet, the wing 

 quills, and the tail, was clothed with down of the 

 purest white, while the naked head with the beak 

 was black. The eyes, as usual in young birds, 

 were blue-grey. It smelled strongly, unbearably, 

 of musk; was very fierce, tilting at every thing, 

 striking with the wings, and leaping forward to 

 bite. It kept up a continued harsh hissing. The 

 nest contained two young, but they had begun to 

 wander, though as yet unable to fly. 



